The situation arose when, after multiple back-and-forth communications involving faith, the professor read the student's latest assignment, an essay on friendship, in which the student alluded to the intimately close friendship one might have as a Christian with Jesus. The professor voluntarily injected her own personal beliefs into the conversation by noting on the assignment paper that not everyone believed in God. When the student responded by expressing his concerns for the professor, based on his faith, the professor asked the student to refrain from further discussing religion with her.

The student respectfully explained that the reason he discusses religion with others, including her, is because he believes, based on his reading of the Bible, Christians have a responsibility to share their faith. In the same response, however, the student expressly wrote that he would honor the professor's request and cease personal religious discussions.

Despite this acknowledgment and agreement to her request, the professor complained to the college that the student was harassing her, prompting a meeting with a college official responsible for addressing student conduct issues. While the student maintained his agreement not to address matters of religion with the professor on a personal level, the conduct officer's instructions went further, restricting the student from addressing matters of religion in any way in this professor's class, including when appropriately responding to curricular assignments.

With our assistance, the student notified the conduct officer that he could not agree to such terms, as they would operate in direct violation of his right to the freedom of speech. The conduct officer, however, was undeterred and maintained the position that the student must treat this particular professor's class as effectively a religion-free zone.

We immediately issued a letter to the college's administration explaining that students have a constitutional right to speak from a religious viewpoint, and, as courts have repeatedly recognized, such speech, when germane to the subject matter of an assignment, rather than constituting harassment, is in fact fully protected. Our letter demanded that the college retract the instructions given by the conduct officer and formally acknowledge the student's right to respond to curricular assignments from a religious perspective.

The college was quick to respond and rightly agreed that the student would be permitted, without further negative consequences, to respond to curricular assignments from a religious point of view. Thus, when the student was recently assigned an essay discussing holidays that are important to him, and the reasons therefor, he was able to write about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, including the explanation that for him, as a Christian, Easter is important because Jesus' resurrection provided the opportunity for eternal life.

We are privileged to defend the right of students to engage in religious expression free from the result of government-imposed penalties—even when it may be deemed offensive to some. We will continue to remind government entities that religious speech is constitutionally protected and, despite the objections of those who find such speech controversial, it may not, for that reason, be silenced.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

This Ohio Hospital is Finally being Investigated by HHS for Leaving 22-week Newborn Twins to Die

Here Are the Tense Takeaways from Trump and Biden's First Presidential Debate

Keep Praying for Rain, California is Still Burning: More Residents Flee Historic Wildfires

Meanwhile, America's Southern Border Wall Grows Approx. 10 Miles Per Week: White House

DNI Declassifies Document Alleging Russian Collusion Hoax was Hillary Clinton's Idea, Obama Was Briefed

Black Pastors Denounce Kamala Harris for Praising 'Brilliance' of Black Lives Matter Co-Founders

Native American Community Finally Getting Their Own Veterans Memorial

A National 'Mercy Moment': Prayer Rising for 400th Anniversary of Pilgrims' Covenant with God

The Face-Off Is Finally Here: Trump, Biden Set to Spar for First Time in Tonight's Presidential Debate

President Trump Signs 'First-Ever' Executive Order Protecting Patients with Preexisting Conditions

Reagan, Bush Government Officials Endorse Trump, Citing Foreign Policy Accomplishments

In Case You Missed It: President Trump Sent a Message to All Attending The Return on Saturday, Here's What He Said

Harvard Law Prof, a Democrat 'Impeachment' Witness, Admits Amy Coney Barrett is Well Qualified to Be Supreme Court Justice

CA Gov. Approves Taxpayer Funds for Transgender Surgeries; Dr. Dobson Blasts 'Repugnant Experiments' on Children

John Macarthur, Pastor Who Defied COVID-19 Orders, Will Face New Hearing in November

No Lockdown, But Tokyo Citizens May Have Developed COVID-19 Herd Immunity, Say Researchers

Report: 'Battle-Tested' Amy Coney Barrett is Ready for Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings

Here's How Judge Amy Coney Barrett Lives Out Her Pro-Life Beliefs

Tens of Thousands Cried Out to God at Franklin Graham's Prayer March 2020 on Saturday

Humble Repentance, Passionate Intercession Marked 'The Return: Sacred Assembly', as Thousands Prayed at the National Mall and Millions More Online